KiteCancun247 wrote:Going to be flying from Mexico to Florida next year, and again from Mexico to Michigan in the summer 2013 on American Airlines.

I have a travel bag that is "golf club size". Question is; is there normally any extra charge assuming I bring it within the normal checked bag limit number of bags?

If they find out it is kite equipment and not golf clubs would there be a charge?

If you read American Airlines checked baggage policy (on their website) you will see Kitesurfing Gear listed at the very top. They charge $100 one way. However, here are two ways to avoid the charge.

See how much a first class upgrade will cost. The last time I flew on American I upgraded for $40 and if you fly First Class then your checked baggage is free.

If you choose not to do this then check in at curb side. The curb side guys usually miss this gear and will think it is golf clubs in which case your first two bags fly free. If they catch it and start to talk about the $100 fee tell them you will give them $50 tip if they check it through. I have applied 1 of the 3 scenarios above each time I travel with my gear and have avoided the fee each time now.

I traveled with the golf bag from Cabo Mexico to SF & they opened it right in front of the counter for inspection and they did not even care. I think it will only be the US side that is looking to charge for everything. I never been charged for the gear every time I travel, but I'm sure I'll get tagged one day. Just wear a silly golf hat and tie an old putter to the outside. You have to admit that the golf bag doesn't even look like one ( it even has Naish written on it - the guys in Hawaii can spot it a mile away) Good Luck.....

Been using my Mystic Golf bag for 5 years now and never been charged. Always tell them it is golf, even if there is no golf course where you go.

3 weeks ago coming back from Cuba the guys asked me where I was playing in Santa Lucia knowing there is no golf course. I told them that I was just practicing in the field behind the hotels; gave them each 5 pesos and it was the end of it.

KiteCancun247 wrote:Going to be flying from Mexico to Florida next year, and again from Mexico to Michigan in the summer 2013 on American Airlines.

I have a travel bag that is "golf club size". Question is; is there normally any extra charge assuming I bring it within the normal checked bag limit number of bags?

If they find out it is kite equipment and not golf clubs would there be a charge?

Put on your biggest smile and keep it under 50lbs. And you should be ok.
I travel quite a bit and hve never had a problem or extra charge.
The curb check seems to help some. If they ask you how many clubs, I just say none.
Enjoy your travel.
Phil

It's unfortunate American is such sticklers for this. I'm flying down to FL on WestJet in a few days, and with them the first checked bag is free provided it's under the weight limit. There is a special dispensation for golf clubs however: they can be checked as a second item for no charge.

If I need to check a second bag, I plan on adding the required bits to my kite bag to make it qualify as "Golf clubs", which their website defines as, "One bag with clubs, shoes and balls is accepted per guest."

So, that will be a putter and a wedge, my sandals, and exactly two golf balls. The rest is just padding.

If they ask, I can confidently say it's "Sporting equipment and golf clubs." without moral hazard.

Not directly applicable to your situation, but if the airlines want to screw us on technicalities, we can play that game too.

i've traveled on a few airlines with a TT in a board bag by itself, bindings removed. and said its a wakeboard. That usually falls under skis/snowboard/waterskis/wakboard exclusion, and you won't be charged for oversize baggage, but it does count as an extra bag. then I put everything else in normal sized luggage. On American's site, it groups wakeboard's with kiteboards and surfboards. You could try the same and say its a snowboard.